Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Barers Of Maple Valley Visit Shrimpfest

A vintage police car was on display courtesy of the Jefferson County Sherriff's Office as we attended the Brinnon, Washington annual Shrimpfest on the Olympic Penninsula.  It featured musical acts, the usual festival booths and of course, shrimp.
We stayed along with my cousin and her husband in nearby Sequim. 

CANNOLI, LATKES & GUILT....new comedy show clip





We saw this act in Rancho Mirage last February with my Dad and Jean.  It would be the last play that I saw with him.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Sarah Jackman by Allan Sherman



My dad used to have this album.  I'm posting this in his honor..

Friday, May 27, 2016

Maple Valley Looking For New City Manager

The Maple Valley Reporter reports that Maple Valley City Manager David Johnston has resigned. Johnston had been on the job since 2009.  The city manager in cities like Maple Valley carry on duties that in other cities would fall to the mayor.  In the council-manager government that Maple Valley has, the mayor is largely a ceremonial position.  Rather than facing election, the city manager is chosen by the city council and does not serve a specified term.
Philosophical differences with the new majority of the city council was cited for the reason for the resignation.  Johnston will stay on the job until the middle of June.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Local Writer Under Fire For Atlantic Article

It should have been the hallmark of a journalism career.  Erica C. Barnett, who has written for a number of what I would call non mainstream media publications such as the Seattle Weekly, Crosscut, and the Publicola blog, was getting published by the well respected Atlantic
It was a great topic, the abuse city council women reportedly have taken after a controversial vote to not vacate part of Occidental Avenue to make way for a proposed professional basketball arena.  The vote was 5-4 and happened to split along gender lines.  The 4 male council members voted in favor and 5 women voted against. 
What was erroneously reported was that the firestorm of calls were initiated by KIRO afternoon radio hosts Ron and Don gave out the phone numbers of female council members, urging them to call them out on the arena vote.  
The hosts pointed out on air that they did not urge listeners to call on that topic, but had urged callers to call council woman Sally Bagshaw and  Mayor Ed Murray on a topic of how Seattle handles it's homeless. 
The mention of Ron And Don was pulled from the article and Barnett issued a statement.  Barnett stated that she was going on information from her speaking with Bagshaw.  She also stated that she did not listen to the Ron And Don program and had no opinion on the proposed arena. Barnett claimed that she did not speak to the station or the radio hosts because they were not the central part of the story. 
Time will tell on what the ramifications are to this, but it sure it home for me what I still remember Mr. Maxon in my journalism class told me.  To use attribution and to research my topics thoroughly.


Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Hilary Wins Washington "Beauty Contest"

Officials are declaring Hilary Clinton the winner of yesterday's Washington Primary.   No delegates are at stake in what the media often calls a "beauty contest".  Bernie Sander commands about three quarters of the Washington delegation to the Democratic National Convention.  What this victory does is give some moral wiggle room to so called super delegates.  Sanders supports have been angry that many of these party officials will vote for Clinton in spite of the results of the caucuses.  Many Sanders supporters will now say a meaningful primary would have a different result.
The overwhelming Republican winner, Donald Trump, did gain delegates in yesterday's primary.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Happy 75th Bob Dylan

Folk and Rock icon Bob Dylan turned 75 today.
Dylan plays at the Chateau St Michelle Winery in Woodinville on June 4th.

Monday, May 23, 2016

The Dream Is Becoming Real

The Maple Valley Pocket Park looks as if it is almost finished.  The park, which is located between QFC and Starbucks in Wilderness Village in Maple Valley, was the subject of this post when it was on the drawing board.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Cheezy Movies and More: TRUMP vs SCOTLAND’S PRISTINE SEASCAPE

Cheezy Movies and More: TRUMP vs SCOTLAND’S PRISTINE SEASCAPE: “The worst environmental crime in the United Kingdom’s history,” is how filmmaker Anthony Baxter described Donald Trump’s golf course dev...

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Democrats Caucus At Snoqualmie Pass

Television personality Tony Ventrella, who has just filed as a Democratic candidate for Washington's 8th District House of Representatives, addresses the crowd.  Delegates from Washington's 8th CD gathered at the Snoqualmie Pass Fire Station to caucus.
Two other Democrats vying for Dave Reichert's congressional seat also spoke.  Alida Skold and Santiago Ramos round out the field.  Republican Reichert is also running to keep the seat.   One presidential elector was chosen. Delegates for Clinton and Sanders to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia were also picked.  I came up short in my quest to become a national delegate for Hilary Clinton, but get another chance next month.


RIP Alan Young

Alan Young who played Wilbur in the show "Mr Ed" is dead at 96.  The show, which featured a talking horse, ran from 1961 to 1966.  I watched the show when I was real little and the fact that I can remember it after all these years is a real credit to Mr. Young and the catchy theme song.   The reruns of the show still run on TV.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Lincecum Signs With Mariner Division Rivals

Seattle area native Tim Lincecum has signed a free agent contract with Seattle Mariner's arch division rivals, the Los Angeles Angels.  The former San Francisco Giants ace is coming off of hip surgery.  Lincecum has two no-hitters, won two Cy Young Awards and has helped the Giants win three world series championships.  It is too early to figure what effect Lincecum's signing will have on the Mariner's play-off chances.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Morley Safer

CNN reports the death of veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Morley Safer.

Dasher Carries His Leash



Dasher always likes to carry his leash on the way back from a walk.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Olympia Rabbi One Of Nations Most Inspirational

Rabbi Seth Goldstein, of Olympia has been named one of 32 most inspirational rabbis by The Forward, a national independent Jewish newspaper.  Goldstein is the husband of Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg who was our rabbi at Temple B'Nai Torah.  According to the Daily Olympian, Goldstein was chosen because of his outreach going well beyond his temple.  He was been a community leader in such topics as gun control, marriage rights and advocacy for the homeless.  This trait was also demonstrated by Rabbi Kinberg, who frequently spoke of human rights in her sermons.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Imbibe Is Open

Here I am enjoying a beer at Imbibe, one of Maple Valley's newest nightspots.  It is located at 23330 Maple Valley Black Diamond Rd Suite A in Maple Valley.  Imbibe has a 5 star rating on yelp.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Mike Wins! Stays Anonymous


After winning the "Top 5 At 5" I stayed in the car and listened through the network, then the local news, hoping to hear my name, instead, this is what I heard.....

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Barers Of Maple Valley Blogger Wins Top 5 At 5 On KIRO

I usually listen to Ron And Don's Top 5 At 5 on the way home from work.  That is a feature on 97.3 Kiro fm where the radio hosts reports on 5 stories after the CBS News at 5 in the evening.  Then listeners can call in and the first to correctly name each story wins a prize. 
Yesterday, I left work in time to catch the entire show.  I carefully noted each story and by the time I got to my destination, they finished the last story and asked listeners to call in.  The first time that I called, I got a busy signal, but then I called again.  The producer Sean answered the phone and I  was able to remember each story. 
1.  Sound Transit party costs city 875 thousand dollars.
2. Donald Trump said to be posing as his publicist and talking to reporters.
3. Seattle Sounders Soccer team is working to find and develop local soccer talent.
4. Money Monster movie review
5. Michael Strahan does last show for Kelly and Michael

My prize was tickets to see Steve Tyler at McCaw Hall and dinner at the Edgewater.  I was disappointed that they did not say my name on the radio.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Heather Bosch Will Leave CBS News

Former KIRO radio reporter Heather Bosch has announced that she will leave her position at CBS Radio News at the end of June to return to the Seattle area.   Bosch joined CBS in 2011, her assignments have included the Boston Marathon bombings, the Baltimore riots,  and the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  Bosch also did anchoring duties at CBS.
Before joining CBS, Bosch spent over 10 years at KIRO radio in Seattle.  She is a 6 time winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for broadcast excellence.
No word on any further career plans.  

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Felix Now Team Leader In Wins

For the second time in this young season, Mariner ace Felix Hernandez became a leader in career statistics.  Last month Felix became the Mariner strike out king.  Last night, he earned his 146th career victory to become the team's leader in career wins.

Monday, May 09, 2016

Mount Rainier From Belmont Woods

Although you cannot see it from our yard, I feel so blessed that we can get a lovely view of Mount Rainier.  This picture was taken from the mailboxes just a few steps from our house.

Sunday, May 08, 2016

Larry Gelbart on killing off "Henry Blake" on "M.A.S.H" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG



One of TV's historical moments,  MASH's most beloved character Colonel Blake was leaving the show, or actually the actor McLean Stevenson was leaving to go on to other projects.  Up until the time, a major character had never been killed or at least, not on this level.  Of course, good bye shows for departing characters were rather commonplace.  In a shocking last scene after Blake's departure, it is announced that his chopper was shot down.  Viewers around the world felt a chill. 

Today, after the barrier was broken, of course, TV character deaths had a little les impact.

Happy Mom's Day!


Saturday, May 07, 2016

Mt Rainier From Lake Wilderness Park

On a beautiful Friday afternoon, I walked the Lake Wilderness Trail down to the park.  I snapped this picture of Mt Rainier peaking out above the trees.

Friday, May 06, 2016

From Joe Drazen Blog

Once a Northwest Power House, Walla Walla's Sherwood And Robert's has sinced closed. A real estate and financial instition, it would eventually have office's in Bellevue and other places.  Donald Sherwood, who also was a publisher of the Walla Walla Union Bulletin daily newspapers, was a huge donor to Whitman College.  This picture was found on Joe Drazen's Bygone Walla Walla blog.

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

Tuesday, May 03, 2016

The Beatles - Revolution





Even though the name of the song, which came out in the turbulent 1960s is "Revolution", the words say "If you talk about destruction, don't you know that you can count me out!", I felt this was very appropriate after so called Anarchists crashed the May Day marches Sunday.

Monday, May 02, 2016

Nelson Cruz From The Nosebleed Seats

Nelson Cruz at bat during a Mariner rally.  We had a great time at the baseball game yesterday, although the Mariners were unable to complete a sweep over the World Champion Kansas City Royals.